The biggest question about the Yankees this spring doesn't involve Alex Rodriguez. Not even close. But last season was his worst since becoming an every-day player all those years ago. And so it's fair to wonder if we've seen the last of the guy who the Yankees thought worthy of a $252 million contract just three years ago.
Will New Physique Sap Alex Rodriguez’s Power?
As Bob Klapisch writes, though, this winter Rodriguez was able to work out without worrying about post-surgery (hip) rehab and “concentrate entirely on baseball-related exercise again.” After the jump, the physical results of all that exercise ...
That’s why team officials did a double take when Rodriguez arrived in camp the other day. "Thin" is how one insider described the slugger’s physique, and not necessarily in a flattering way. Rodriguez never was overweight and no one on the medical staff ordered or even suggested that he show up that much lighter.
While A-Rod insists less mass means being "lighter on my feet," the Yankees are waiting to see if he’ll lose long-ball power as well.
Alex Rodriguez does not ned to look like a linebacker to hit home runs. In his last three years in Seattle -- when he was 22, 23 and 24, and presumably not a linebacker -- Rodriguez hit 42, 42 and 41 home runs. Back then, he was listed at 6’3” and 195 pounds, which by then was probably a little low. Today he’s listed at 230 pounds, which is also probably a little low. But let’s say he weighs 220 or 225 pounds right now ... That’s not enough? With his swing?
Ted Williams was tall, but thin (early in his career, especially). Hank Aaron and Willie Mays were not large men.
I don’t know. There might be some correlation between power and weight. But I have to think (in the absence of evidence) that whatever Alex loses in power because of the weight/muscle loss, he’ll gain in health and defensive agility. And whatever’s happened this winter, we’re still talking about a world-class athlete.
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